More rain on the way; Region under flash flood watch

Water flows quickly over the Ousatonic Dam between Shelton and Derby on the Housatonic River, as viewed from the Shelton side near Canal Street.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flash flood watch for Fairfield County through 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2.

“Flash flooding possible through Tuesday evening,” said a NWS alert released on early Monday afternoon.

The NWS said an addition 1 to 2 inches of rain is possible in the region during the next 30 hours or so, with the heaviest rainfall most likely on Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon.

‘Heavy showers and thunderstorms’

“A plume of moisture extending up the East Coast from the Gulf of Mexico will continue a pattern of heavy showers and thunderstorms for the region through Tuesday evening,” the NWS said.

Combined with the rain already falling in the region, the NWS said, “conditions are unfortunately favorable for additional flooding.”

Dangerous conditions possible

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, which the NWS described as “a very dangerous situation.”

NWS officials said people should be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings — the next step up from a watch — be issued.

Flash flooding generally occurs in small streams and rivers.

Stevenson Dam levels

Locally, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Stevenson Dam water level was recorded at 6.64 feet, below the flood stage of 11 feet.

Previously, 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Stevenson Dam water level was recorded at 9.95 feet. It was originally predicted to be at 9.7 feet by Wednesday afternoon, however latest estimates suggest it will rise to 10.2 feet Thursday. Flood stage is 11 feet.

Earlier in the day at 4:30 p.m., water level was recorded at at 9.32 feet. That was up from three hours before, when at 1:30 p.m., the water level was at 8.43 feet.

The Stevenson Dam on the Housatonic River in Monroe/Oxford is a few miles upstream from Shelton, and impacts water flow in the river coming into Shelton.

Flooding often has been a particular problem in Shelton along the Housatonic at The Maples, a residential area near Indian Well State Park.